Working Agreements

There are times when I have to remind myself that it is the simple things that can have the biggest impact in our change work. For example, I have been appreciating the impact of intentionally establishing what we call “working agreements” at the outset of a single convening or ongoing work with a group. Others might refer to these as “norms” or “ground rules,” though we like placing emphasis on the fact that these are guidelines that everyone builds together, agrees to, and can amend as we discover new needs, hence “working.” In any case, the aim is to create safe spaces where people feel willing and able to speak their truths/be themselves, take risks, be creative, and ultimately produce something of shared value. To this end, we either start from the blank page or offer up a short list of suggested guidelines and invite people to add and adjust. As important as the agreements themselves are, there is also much to be gained from the process of building the agreements together. More on that at another time. For now, I wanted to lift up some of the agreements that I have found to be most powerful and invite others to add:

Listen for understanding, not disagreement

Consider the opinions and experiences of others

Be mindful of the difference between intent and impact

Step up, step back (take turns speaking, make room for others to speak)

Tolerate ambiguity

Lean into discomfort

Bring a spirit of experimentation and creativity

Remember that what we hear is often more important than what we say

Honor complexity and the fact that as individuals we do not know it all

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